New Lionel 990 Legacy Control stopped working

Rich,

  Did you try a fresh set of batteries in the CAB-2?

Art

Just removing the batteries for a spell and then putting them back in is a useful test.

Being the Cab-1 works, I'd say the base is okay, so I'd be looking at the Cab-2.

The batteries should be brand new.  But I understand about removing them to reset or reboot the computer.  I'll try it when I get home, thanks.

Rich,

When you say does not work, are you saying the remote is not communicating  with the base? Does the red LED light come on, on the remote to signify loss of signal?

If not do you see any flashing light on the base with you operate the remote?

Hopefully you can narrow it down to whether you have a remote issue or a base issue, or a base to track issue.

I take it you have determined its not a track to engine issue.

J Daddy,

  Its communicating since the light on the base blinks when I hit a command.  I removed the batteries for a minute and put them back.  Still not working.  I call Lionel tomorrow.

Rich

Reloading the base and remote firmware 1.52 may fix it.

Turns out it was the battery was low.  There was one bar left on the battery level indicatory an the base showed it was communicating but I guess signal is too week and had errors.  ???

Seems to be Ok after a full charge.

Rich,

  Good to here it was just the batteries.

Art

Rich,

   Glad everything is all right I have not even had time to unpack my new 990 Legacy yet, I was hoping there was really nothing wrong with yours!  Seems problems with these legacy's run thru the full shipment!

PCRR/Dave

I found the real problem.

It stopped working again.  When I when to check the ground terminal I noticed it was loose.  When I opened the box, the metal tab which should be soldered to the board broke loose.  It looks like a cold solder joint, so it broke off easily.  It could make intermittent contact which explains why it works then doesn't work.  I soldered it back and now it works fine.  The photos show before and after.

Warning: Do not tighten the terminal screw very hard, it can twist off the contact.  Use the banana jack instead.

Rich 

Good find Rich, thanks for posting the solution.

Rich,

  Thanks for the fix and the pictures!

PCRR/Dave

Pretty common. It's kind of a dumb setup with the jack mounted on the base and then another nut tightening the tab which is soldered. The distance of spacing is critical. A wire attached to the post would be better. I use a banana plug on the track wire so I don't have to twist the thing. 

If I ever have to open mine to fix this, it'll get a wire between the post and the PCB.

We used to call them tiger tails in HO when such wire would be added between the pick-up shoes of our Aurora cars and plates on their chassis.  Anything for that nanosecond's worth of better continuity, but in this case a great idea around a less than optimal connection design.  

Hmmmm... I just sent my 990 back to Lionel for no command output on the rails. Good signal between base and Cab-2, No signal on rails. DB-9 output worked as my PM Bridge functioned perfectly. I'll bet I had the same problem. Thanks for a timely post!